Friday, October 16th saw the Niagara College men's golf team win the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) silver medal at National Golf Championships hosted by the University of the Fraser Valley in Chilliwack, B.C. The National medal is the first for a Knights golf team since the 2005 season, a year that saw them named CCAA national champions.
The Knights entered the final round hold a precarious three stroke lead over the CCAA's top-ranked Camosun Chargers. The final round saw the Chargers prove worthy of their top ranking shooting an impressive final round one under to secure the victory.
"The team collectively battled hard in the final round, they were in great spirits entering the round and played well as a group over the majority of the day" said Niagara College golf head coach Cameron Thin. "We held the tournament lead standing on the 15th tee of the final round however Camosun simply out played us over the last four holes to snatch the title from our grasp."
The Knights team consisted of Zack Bankuti, Logan Lammerant, Josiah Dixon, Evan Littlefield, and Mark Wikkerink.
Wikkerink, a first year culinary student from Trenton, was the low scorer for the Knights turning in a three day total of one under. Wikkerink enjoyed a fantastic rookie season, winning the Niagara Knights Fall Classic invitational tournament, and playing a key role in helping lift the Knights to their first OCAA men's team championship since 1975. Wikkerink will now turn his attention to the volleyball court, as the towering 6'4 aspiring chef also competes as a member of the Knights men's volleyball program.
Thunder Bay native Evan Littlefield wrapped up his banner 2015 season in strong fashion finishing the National Championship in tied for ninth place at even par. Littlefield captured the OCAA men's individual championship and was named a CCAA All-Canadian, the first Knights men's golfer to earn the accolade.
On the women's side defending CCAA Champion Lorelle Weavers finished in fourth place just four strokes off the bronze medal. The 2015 seasons sees Weavers add to here growing list of achievements, winning the OCAA Women's individual championship, and earning her second consecutive CCAA All-Canadian selection. Weavers was also named to the 2015 CCAA Championship all-star team.
"The whole team should be proud of how well they played and I can say with full honesty that each member of our team was an absolute pleasure to coach" continued Thin after the event. "I am proud to be associated with this group, and Niagara College could not find a better team to represent them."
